Volunteer a Fundie you know for this experiment....

[corksean]

Scientists to test power of faith

Katherine Haddon
OXFORD University scientists will examine whether people with religious faith are better at tolerating pain than non-believers by showing them pictures of the Virgin Mary as they are in agony.

Researchers at the Oxford Centre for Science of the Mind (OXCSOM) will use imaging technology to study the brain in uncomfortable situations to discover why some people are better at coping than others.

It is hoped that those with strong religious faith as well as crystal and faith healers and atheists will volunteer for the experiments into the effect of belief systems on the human mind.

One of the most remarkable tests will use brain scanning to examine whether people can be distracted from pain by looking at a picture of a crucifix or the Virgin Mary.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/web/world/Full_Story/did-sgjlcOMHcQ8h6sgTbBP-2fa91M.asp

[trotsky]

1. "Faith" will have nothing to do with it.

The ability to focus on something else is what they are testing. Doesn't matter if that's a religious object or something mundane. I really fail to see how this would validate anything that isn't already known.

[pres2032]

2. kinda disagree

for catholics, i am one, they may see a picture of the Virgin Mary and take comfort in knowing they can pray to her for comfort. it won't mean much to fundies, in fact it may anger them, but a picture of Mary could do wonders for Catholics.

[trotsky]

4. Again, this is just testing the ability to focus on an object.

And shut out pain or other distractions. It wouldn't validate religious faith, or Catholicism, or anything like that. Just show that if someone is "trained" to view an object or image as a distraction, it will work.

[Dr.Phool]

3. Could I help inflict the pain?

:evilgrin: